Pilot Boarding Regulations

VHF radio contact should be made with the pilot station prior to the pilot boarding for advice on the time and position of boarding and whether the vessel should be underway or at anchor.

Deep draught vessels, that is those with a draught of 10 m or more, embark pilots at the Deep Draught Vessels (Thames and Medway) Pilot Station, the start of the charted deep water routes.

Vessels with a draught of between 6 and 10 m that intend to use the Barrow or Black Deeps, embark pilots off Sunk Light-float (51° 5 1’N, 1° 35'E).

All vessels with a draught of less than 6 m, and those approaching from the E or S with a draught greater than 6 m that intend to use the Princes or North Edinburgh Channel embark pilots at North East Spit Pilot Station, which is Smiles S of NE Spit Light-buoy. Pilots for the Thames may be embarked at Dover Pilot Station, arrangements should be made through Port Control London.

In adverse weather, when the pilotage service is suspended at the Sunk Pilot Station, the Harwich Haven Ports Pilot Stations W of Ship wash may, at the master's specific request, be used to embark or disembark a pilot. A minimum of 1½ hours notice is required and no oil or LPG vessel with a length greater than 180 m, or draught greater than 8 m, will be permitted to transit between Sunk and the Harwich Haven Ports Pilot Stations without a pilot.